My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding

is

making a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper

out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss

hearing that, the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel

the ‘Happy

must close her eyes and make a

Rachel must blow out the

Rachel shook her head to indicate to Julian that there was no need to go to such

children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,”

a little girl who wasn’t even at table height

of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles

you!”

icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers

the light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the

continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about

so I might as well pretend

then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep

and headed toward

she was inside her apartment and about to close the

propped open by a

up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque

he out on business? she

the house and shut the door before

been

two steps back.

as he pulled off his

sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want

by step he approached her, forcing her back inch by

Rachel had no idea

of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged